Knockdown portable table



July

I l. MACDONALD 1,964,789

KNOCKDOWN PORTABLE TABLE Filed Sept. 15, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVE OR [an M edonald BYQ ATTORNEY Patented July 3, 1 934 Hurrah STATES PATENT @FFifiE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to collapsible or knockdown table and seat units and represents improvements over the structures shown in my copending application for patent, Serial No. 612,775, 15 filed May 21, 1932, now Patent No. 1,93%,937, dated November 14, 1933. The present invention is particularly a development of the latter application, the structure of which was designed so that it could be folded or collapsed into a rela- 10 tively compact space thereby making it suitable for use on camping trips to be packed onto a motor vehicle or trailer along with the remaining camp equipment. With this previous arrangement however it was necessary to pack and carry 15 the folding frame separate from the table itself and the latter even when folded was of somewhat large size and of an awkward shape to carry by hand.

The principal object of my present invention is to improve the construction and arrangement of the table and frame structure relative to each other so that while the unit is capable of seating four adults comfortably and providing ample table space for eating or other needs, said table and frame may be associated together when folded in such a manner'that the table forms a supporting enclosure about the folded frame and then assumes such a compact and convenient form, approximating that of a traveling bag or valise, as enables the unit to be easily carried by hand.

Also, due to the refinements in construction which enable relatively light material to be used for the frame structure, as set forth in my Patent No. 1,910,704, dated May 23, 1933, the assembled and folded unit is not too heavy for one person to conveniently carry any reasonable distance.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the table and frame unit when assembled in connection with the seats.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the frame structure fully folded.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the table partly folded showing the seats disposed therein.

Fig. 4. is a similar view showing the folded leg and frame unit placed in the table in addition to the seats.

Fig. 5 is a perspective'view of the structure with the table completely folded and ready to be carried or packed.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the frame structure which supports the table of special design as hereinafter set forth, is preferably of the same form and construction as described in said last named co-pending application. It comprises four square corner legs 1 of a convenient seat height. Extending upwardly and toward each other from the bottom of adjacent legs on their outer sides are diagonal bars 2. The adjacent upper ends of these diagonals are connected together on their inner faces by a downwardly folding strap hinge 3, while the lower ends are connected to the legs at the bottom by bolts 4.

Extending between the different pairs of adjacent legs in front of the diagonals and substantially on the same level when outstretched as the top of the legs are bar units each comprising a pair of bars 5 of the same length. These are connected at their adjacent ends by an upwardly folding strap hinge 6 on the outside and are pivoted to the diagonals at their points of crossing by rivets or bolts 7.

The bars of adjacent units at the corners of the frame structure terminate in somewhat spaced relation to each other as shown in Fig. 5,

being connected on their inner faces by rigid right angle straps 8 pivoted at their ends to the bars by bolts or rivets 9 extending therethrough. Secured to the corners of the legs below the bars are vertical strips 10 formed with a lateral outwardly extending oifset intermediate their ends so that the hinge strapsS at their exposed corners between the corresponding bar members may project between the legs and upper portions of the straps 10, as plainly shown, so as to tie the bars and legs together and prevent possible lateral deflection of the latter.

When the frame structure is fully folded the diiferent bars and other members of which it is formed lie in practically parallel and laterally superimposed relation to each other and define a compact area of square cross section.

In addition the bars 5 serve to support the triangular seat boards 11 which are located against horizontal shifting by reason of their notched engagement with the adjacent portions of the diagonals, to which said boards extend. The table is formed of three separate parallel sections, the two outer sections 12 being each wider than the central section 13 and said sections when laid out flat forming a square table as heretofore. Each section has a relatively deep flange 14 depending all about the periphery of the same, the adjacent flanges of adjacent sections being connected on their bottom faces by hinges 15 of conventional form. This enables the outer sections to be folded down relative to the central section, or up when the latter is inverted and resting on the floor or ground as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Apart from the flanges 14 and the hinges 15 which prevent upward folding or buckling of the table, said table is braced against such buckling by pivoted truss links 16 depending from the end flanges of the outer sections and extending across the central section. The width of the outer sections between the flanges thereof is sufficient to receive a seat, which is out 01f at its apex in order to enable it to be thus received between the flanges. The depth of the flanges is sufficient to enable a pair of seats to be placed in superimposed relation in each section, as shown in Fig. 3.

The seats are placed in the table sections after the table has been removed from the frame and is disposed in an inverted position on the floor or ground as shown. The table sections are then folded somewhat so that the brace links 16 are spaced from the central section. The folded frame unit is then inverted in the bottom section, the outer ends of any pair of bars 5 (which are outermost when the frame unit is folded) engaging inside the flange of the central section at one end; while the lower ends of the corresponding pair of diagonals 2 (which are also on the outside of the folded frame unit) engage inside the flange of said central section at the opposite end as indicated in Fig. 4. The outer table sec tions are then folded toward each other until the bottom edges of the side flanges 14 abut.

The width of the folded frame unit is substantially that of the central section between the side flanges so that said unit is held both against lateral and longitudinal displacement. Also the seats of course are held substantially flat against the table top sections in which they are disposed so that rattling is reduced to a minimum. Said folded sections are then held against unfolding movement by the engagement of catch hooks 17 with pins 18; said hooks and pins being secured to the end flanges of the outer sections adjacent their relatively converging terminations. Said outer table sections then form, with the central section, a carrier of traveling bag or valise form, suitable handles 19 being mounted on the side flanges of the outer sections to provide conven ient hand grips for carrying the structure in one hand. These handles are preferably somewhat flat and. of leather or similar nature so that they do not interfere with the occupants of the table when the same is set up for use.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein. 7

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A knockdown portable table structure comprising a supporting frame, a top detachably mounted on the frame and four seats removably supported on the frame, the top comprising three sections hinged together along their adjacent edges whereby such top may be folded to form a carrier for the frame and seats, the sections having depending edge flanges forming compartments, the compartments of the outer sections being of a depth sufficient to each hold two of the seats in superposed relation, the frame being adapted to be collapsed and placed in the center section and maintained in position therein by the flange on such section.

2. A folding portable table structure which includes a three-section top, the end sections being hinged to the central section for downward folding movement, and truss devices to brace the sections against upward deflection from a horizontalunfolded position; each device comprising a pair of links substantially horizontal when the sections are unfolded and extending immediately adjacent and under the side edge of the central section and the adjacent portions of the end sections, pivots between the opposed ends of the links and the end sections and a central pivot connecting the links at their adjacent ends.

3. A structure as in claim 2, in which the links are formed so that the central pivot is disposed below the end pivots when the links are outstretched and horizontal whereby said central pivot is below a dead center position relative to the end pivots even when the links and table sections are fully unfolded to facilitate the initial folding of the links and table. sections.

IAN MACDONALD. 

